![Two US amphibious platform dock ships (LPD) in the Atlantic. [US Navy]](/ssc/images/2024/10/30/47995-amphibiousdockships-600_384.webp)
The US Navy is boosting its capabilities in the Middle East with major naval exercises with partners in the Middle East and new ships.
The US Navy's joint exercises with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan have long served as touchpoints for enhancing readiness and security in the region.
In October, the United States and Pakistan conducted a joint exercise named Inspired Union in the Arabian Sea that emphasized cooperation in surface warfare, communications and tactical maneuvering.
As part of the exercise, the USS O'Kane, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, visited Karachi and carried out drills with the PNS Babur.
![A US sailor (yellow vest) checks clear and safe procedures of Pakistani sailors during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane. [US Navy]](/ssc/images/2024/10/30/47951-8702927-600_384.webp)
At the same time, the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard joined the UAE naval defense force for Exercise Iron Defender 24, from October 14-24.
Iron Defender, which took place in the UAE and its territorial and coastal waters, focused on joint air defense, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare tactics.
Participants conducted drills on search and seizure, unmanned system integration, harbor defense, diving, medical training and training at sea.
The United States' security partnerships with countries like the UAE and Pakistan have expanded into intelligence sharing, cybersecurity and counterterrorism, and in September the United States designated the UAE a Major Defense Partner.
New ships
Meanwhile, the US Navy is continuing to develop its capabilities via new ships.
The US Navy's first Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious warship, the USS Harrisburg, was launched on October 5.
The Flight II amphibious platform dock ship (LPD) is designed to replace the old Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships (LSDs).
The San Antonio class supports amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups, according to the US Navy.
The 208.5-meter-long USS Harrisburg has a complement of 33 officers and 411 enlisted crew members. It can accommodate 66 officers and 625 enlisted troops.
The ship has one Mk 41 vertical launching system for missiles, two Mk 31 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, two Mk 46 30mm machine guns and two Mk 26 .50 caliber machine guns.
It has three vehicle decks and two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC).
